2.^ 



The Growth of Philippine Children 



BY 

JOHN FRANKLIN BOBBITT 

Formerly Instructor in the Philippine Normal School 



A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF CI.ARK 
UNIVERSITY, WORCESTER, MASS., IN PARTIAL 
FULFILMENT OP THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE 
DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY, AND ACCEPTED 
ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF G. STANLEY HALL 



Reprinted from the Pedagogical Seminary 
June, 1909, Vol. XVI, pp. 3.34 



The Growth of Philippine Children 



BY 



JOHN FRANKLIN BOBBITT 

Formerly Instructor in ihe Philippine Normal School 



A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF CLARK 
UNIVERSITY, WORCESTER, MASS., IN PARTIAL 
FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE 
DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY, AND ACCKPTED 
ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF G. STANLEY HALL 



Reprinted from the Pedagogical Seminary 
June, 1909, Vol. XVI, pp. 3-34 






Au;b jr 



THE GROWTH OF PHII.IPPINK CHILDREN^ 



John Franki,in Bobbitt 
Formerly Instructor in the Philippine Normal School, Manila, P. I. 



Child Study to date has occupied itself almost exclusively 
with children of the white races, and anthropology has been 
concerned chiefly with adults. Both of these fields of research 
have become widely extended, but neither has yet seriously 
undertaken the study of the children of the various colored 
races. This remains an almost untouched field. If one wishes 
to obtain exact data with reference to the physical or mental 
capabilities of the children of any race other than the white, 
there is scarcely a study to which one can refer with confidence. 
In the writings of travellers, explorers, teachers, and mission- 
aries, one finds numerous opinions as to the children. An- 
thropologists have in many cases made a few measurements 
and tests upon children, perhaps a half dozen in a tribe. The 
opinions, however, are too casual and conflicting, and the 
measurements too few and inexact as to age and other condi- 
tions, to be of great service in estimating either the physical 
or the mental efficiency of the children observed. The chief 
exceptions are a few studies made by the Japanese, and the 
recently-published elaborate study of Ales Hrdlicka upon the 
Indians of the Southwestern United States and Northern 
Mexico. 

To take a concrete case illustrative of our uncertainty in this 
field, it is usually assumed and frequently asserted that the 
children of the Tropics develop more rapidly and mature 
earlier than the children of colder lands. It is at present diffi- 
cult either to prove or to disprove the statement, owing to the 
dearth of exact statistical data. 

^Special acknowledgments are due Dr. David P. Barrows, Director 
of Education, and Mr. G. W. Beattie, Supt. of the Philippine Normal 
School, for aid and encouragement in the work. Without their help 
this study could not have been carried through to its present propor- 
tions. Thanks are due also to Miss Jessie L. Durham, Supervisor of 
the londo Schools; to Mr. Guy V. Clinton, and Mr. F. R. Ivutz, prin- 
cipals of intermediate schools; to Mrs. John Fagan, Supervisor of the 
Philippine Normal Training School; and to Dr. Helen T. Woolley, 
who aided in verifying the ages of the students, J. F. B. 



4 GROWTH OF PHILIPPINE CHILDREN 

The question arose, howev^er, in a very practical way, in the 
Philippine Islands, in connection with the formulation of 
courses of study for the schools. In attempting to fit the 
stages of instruction to the stages of normal growth, the ques- 
tions naturally arose as to what the normal growth-stages are, 
at what age each appears, and how long each continues, in the 
case of the Mala)^ children of the Philippines. 

Such questions were of practical importance. If the periods 
of development of Philippine children are fore-shortened, then 
the courses of instruction should be correspondingly fore- 
shortened ; but if, on the other hand, their growth is as slow 
as that of European children, then for equal results they prob- 
ably require courses of instruction of equal length. 

In answer to the questions, there were no figures to which 
to appeal, and one could obtain from the teaching profession 
any sort of opinion that one might be looking for. The only 
method of finding out was to measure the children. This was 
undertaken, and the present study presents certain anthropo- 
metric evidence as to the rates and stages of their physical 
growth. This was naturally the first step to be taken even 
where the facts aimed at were the stages of mental growth and 
the age of mental maturity. 

The children measured were students in various Manila 
schools, — the Philippine Normal School, Tondo primary 
schools, Tondo Secondary School, Sampaloc primary schools, 
and the Sampaloc Intermediate School. In the Philippine 
Normal School, about three-fourths of the students measured 
were from the provinces outside of Manila, chiefly those of 
southern and central Luzon. In the two intermediate schools, 
about half were from the provinces ; and in the primary 
schools a considerable proportion were born outside of Manila. 
About all of the Christian provinces were represented ; but the 
major portion of the students measured were Tagalog, Pam- 
pango, Pangasinan, and Ilocano, 

One cannot say that the students measured were all of pure 
Malay blood, so widespread is the infusion of Spanish and 
Chinese blood in the archipelago. The most that can be said 
is that they were typical Filipinos, fair representatives of the 
Christian population of the archipelago. Measurements made 
on students that admitted themselves to be mestizos, or that 
gave unmistakable evidence in their appearance of the posses- 
sion of Spanish or Chinese blood were discarded. 

Besides determining growth-stages, a further aim of the 
study was to make a comparison of Philippine children with 
those of Europe or America in size and efl&ciency. In order 
that results might be entirely comparable, it was necessary to 
duplicate the methods and apparatus of some previous study 



GROWTH OF PHIIvIPPINE CHILDREN 5 

made on white children. lyiterature on the subject was ex- 
ceedingly scarce in Manila, but I succeeded in finding a report 
of Director Smedley's work in the Child-Study lyaboratory in 
Chicago, for the year 1 899-1 goo, as published in the report of 
the Commissioner of Education for 1902. His study appeared 
to be a careful one, and both his methods and his apparatus 
were described in detail, verbally and graphically. In order 
to obain entirely comparable results, therefore, I duplicated 
his apparatus and used his methods. These are not here re- 
peated since they can be found in his report. 

The measurements taken were: (i) Height; (2) Span of 
arms; (2,) Sitting height; (4) Weight; (5) Vital capacity; 
(6) Grip of right and left hands. Span of arms was not 
measured by Mr. Smedley, but comparable measures were 
found in Porter's study on St. Louis children. One of the 
most significant of Mr. Smedley's measurements, that of en- 
durance as given by the ergograph, had to be omitted for lack 
of a duplicate instrument. This omission was unfortunate 
since, as may be seen later in this study, one is led to expect 
some rather surprising and perhaps quite favorable results. It 
is to be hoped that some one will be moved to carry through 
this portion of the study in the not distant future. 

The measurements on each child were recorded on an indi- 
vidual card, — yellow cards being used for boys, and white for 
girls, to prevent any possibility of mixing data of the two sexes. 
On each card were also taken the child's name, date of birth, 
date of measurement, his age, name of the church where 
he had been baptized in order that the date of birth might 
be verified, native province, and the race of his father and 
mother. 

One serious difficulty met with was obtaining the ages of the 
children. In a tropical climate, there is so little to mark the 
passage of time that the conception of a year is not at all 
well defined in the children's minds. They easily fail to keep 
track of their ages. Great effort had therefore to be made to 
obtain the true age. Of pupils born in the city of Manila, 
we verified the ages from the baptismal records in the churches. 
Also the ages given by a pupil to his teachers at different times 
were compared, and if he had given his age consistently for 
three or four times, it was considered evidence of correctness, 
but when he had given contradictory ages at different times, 
his statements had to be inquired into before his age could be 
determined. We impressed upon pupils the desirability of 
getting correct ages, and asked them to inquire of their parents 
so as to make no mistake. They are an extremely obliging 
people and they took an interest in the work ; so I have reason 
to believe that we obtained the true age in most cases. It re- 



6 GROWTH OF PHILIPPINE CHILDREN 

mains a source of some error, however, especially in the case of 
the younger pupils. In the case of students fourteen years 
old and over there is perhaps only very slight error in the 
matter of age. In verifying the ages of the younger pupils in 
the churches, it was found that when the age was given 
wrong, it varied upward from the true age about as often as 
downward, so that even if these errors had not been eliminated, 
they would not greatly have affected the median values. The 
errors that yet remain uneliminated are undoubtedly of this 
fluctuating sort, not seriously affecting median or average 
values where the number of pupils measured is considerable. 

After rejecting those of questionable age and the mestizo 
class — those with some Spanish or Chinese blood — records 
remain of i,i8o boys and 438 girls from 6 to 21 years of age. 
The numbers are large enough to show the approximate curves 
of growth, though, especially in the upper and lower age- 
extremes, the numbers are too few for exactness. This is 
clearly indicated by the irregular angular nature of some of 
the curves, particularly those for girls where the numbers are 
far fewer than in the case of boys. Still it is believed that a 
greater number of observations would do little more than to 
smooth out the irregularities. The pupils measured were 
typical of their class. 

The results of the measurements are shown in the following 
tables in the forms of medians, averages, variabilities, and yearly 







Meati Meas 


urements 


0/ Philippine Boys 




Age 


go 




^< 

P, 
CO 


'Sco 







-M 




'0 






Mm: 


Mm: 


Mm: 


Kilos: 


Kilos: 


Kilos: 


Cc: 


6 


6 


1096 


1050 


605 


18.0 


12.0 


II-5 


950 


7 


18 


1 135 


1120 


620 


18.8 


15-2 


14.2 


lOIO 


8 


32 


1170 


1156 


648 


20.3 


16.5 


15-7 


1 130 


9 


41 


1210 


1 188 


654 


21.3 


17.4 


16.8 


1210 


10 


70 


1247 


1237 


673 


23.0 


19.0 


18.0 


1290 


II 


63 


1299 


1298 


698 


25.8 


21.2 


19.6 


1400 


12 


94 


1360 


1365 


720 


28.4 


22.9 


21.4 


1570 


13 


87 


1403 


1423 


741 


3I-I 


25.0 


23.8 


I8I0 


14 


96 


1471 


1493 


771 


35-1 


27.7 


25.8 


1950 


15 


130 


1542 


1581 


812 


41.4 


35-1 


31.8 


2280 


16 


131 


1582 


1618 


842 


45-4 


38.5 


36.8 


2570 


17 


145 


1605 


1649 


851 


47 -o 


41.0 


37-9 


2810 


18 


97 


1609 


1664 


855 


48.9 


43-1 


39-7 


2860 


19 


68 


1620 


1674 


862 


51.2 


44-1 


42.9 


2970 


20 


54 


1622 


1678 


866 


51-6 


44.4 


41-5 


3070 


21-5 


48 


1610 


1666 


861 


51-3 


43-5 


40.0 


3000 



GROWTH OF PHILIPPINE CHILDREN 7 

increments. If errors of age are entirely of a fluctuating 
character, it is possible that the medians may be less affected 
by this form of error than the averages. The diiferences, 
however, between the two are not great. The curves of growth 
shown in the charts are, with the exception of those dealing 

Mean Measurements of Philippine Girls 





1- " 




tn 


be 




+j 


-M 


>^ 


Age 


SO 

s 


s 

CO 


eg 

CO 


+j a 

•a-5 







u 










Mm: 


Mm: 


Mm: 


Kilos: 


Kilos: 


Kilos: 


Cc: 


7 


4 


1 145 


11^5 


620 


19.0 


13.0 


12.0 


1 130 


8 


9 


1175 


1 165 


638 


20.3 


15-2 


14.2 


1 130 


9 


15 


1232 


1235 


657 


22.8 


18. 1 


16.8 


1210 


lO 


17 


1273 


1252 


668 


23.2 


18.0 


17. 1 


1260 


II 


27 


1305 


1293 


690 


26.5 


20.5 


18.6 


1300 


12 


33 


1381 


i37» 


722 


29.8 


22.4 


21. 1 


1510 


13 


24 


1425 


1430 


758 


33-5 


26.2 


24-5 


1610 


14 


32 


1455 


1470 


772 


36.5 


26.6 


25-4 


1740 


15 


68 


1480 


1506 


788 


40.0 


29-5 


27-3 


1970 


i6 


52 


1488 


1500 


798 


41.6 


29.6 


27.6 


2000 


17 


54 


1500 


1534 


803 


43-4 


30.3 


28.3 


2200 


i8 


40 


1495 


1523 


806 


44 


31.0 


28.3 


2100 


19 


27 


1498 


1523 


810 


42.8 


30.5 


28.0 


2200 


20-5 


26 


i486 


1510 


803 


42.5 


30.3 


27.0 


2030 



Averages and Variabilities of Philippine Boys 





Height 1 


Weight 




CO 

^ Si 








1 n 


(A 




T^o 


a 


. a 


Age 




> 
< 


coP 


rt a 

<1 M 




s 


bfl 

> 
< 


Cd 4-» 

5 4) 

coQ 


'rt a 


(U 






Mm: 


Mm: 


Mm: 






Kilos: 








7 


18 


1 148 


47 






18 


18.9 


2.1 






8 


32 


1191 


63 


43 


3-7 


31 


20.8 


2.8 


1.9 


10. 1 


9 


41 


1211 


59 


20 


1-7 


40 


21.8 


3-0 


I.O 


4.8 


10 


70 


1252 


40 


41 


3-4 


70 


23 -4 


2.1 


1.6 


7-3 


II 


(>3 


1309 


55 


57 


4.6 


63 


26.2 


3-5 


2.8 


12.0 


12 


94 


1366 


78 


57 


4.4 


94 


29-5 


5-4 


3-3 


12.6 


13 


80 


1408 


69 


42 


3-1 


89 


32-4 


4-7 


2.9 


9.8 


14 


96 


1461 


81 


53 


3-a 


96 


35-9 


6.2 


3-5 


10.8 


15 


130 


1541 


69 


80 


5-5 


132 


41-5 


5-7 


5-0 


i5-b 


16 


131 


1585 


52 


46 


30 


131 


45-9 


5-0 


4-4 


10.6 


17 


145 


1602 


5b 


17 


I.I 


146 


47-5 


5-1 


1.6 


3-5 


18 


97 


1612 


56 


ID 


0.6 


97 


49.8 


5-4 


2-3 


4.8 


19 


68 


1626 


45 


14 


0.8 


67 


52-4 


5-7 


2.6 


5-2 


20 


54 


1622 


52 






51 


51-7 


5-1 






21-5 


48 


1621 


54 






47 


51-7 


4.9 







8 



GROWTH OF PHII^IPPINB CHItDRBN 



with annual increments, based upon median values. Curves 
based upon averages follow the same general lines ; the 
diflferences are but slight. 

All measurements are in terms of metric units. Age is 
that of the last birthday. Children called ten years of age in 





Span of Arms 


Height Sitting 




(A 


4) 


v§ 


a 




(0 


i» 


Vo 


fl 


I rt 


Age 


<" S 

iS 

s 

^ 


M 
vi 
u 

> 
< 




'3 9 
< h-i 






CD 
u 

0) 

> 

< 




<1 l-H 








Mm: 


Mm: 








Mm: 


Mm: 






7 


iS 


112S 


58 






18 


623 


21 






8 


31 


1 169 


69 


41 


3-6 


31 


647 


30 


24 


3-« 


9 


41 


1198 


70 


29 


2-5 


41 


661 


31 


14 


2.2 


lO 


70 


1244 


49 


46 


3-« 


70 


673 


21 


12 


1.8 


II 


62 


1299 


62 


55 


4.4 


63 


699 


24 


26 


3-9 


12 


94 


1371 


86 


72 


5-5 


94 


719 


40 


20 


2.9 


13 


89 


1425 


»5 


54 


3-9 


89 


745 


41 


26 


3-6 


14 


96 


1480 


93 


55 


3-9 


96 


770 


49 


25 


3-4 


15 


131 


1579 


72 


99 


6.7 


132 


812 


3<^ 


42 


5-5 


i6 


131 


1621 


f>3 


42 


2.6 


131 


841 


32 


29 


3-6 


17 


145 


1646 


73 


25 


1-5 


146 


851 


27 


10 


1.2 


i8 


96 


16.56 


68 


10 


0.6 


97 


859 


29 


8 


0.9 


19 


63 


1680 


57 


24 


1.4 


67 


862 


26 


3 


0.4 


20 


54 


1676 


56 






51 


866 


22 


4 


0-5 


21-5 


48 


1667 


62 






39 


866 


24 









Grip of Right Hand | 


Grip 


of Left Hand] 


Vital Capacity 


Age 


B 


W) 
cd 
u 


<y 


d 

a 

h-i 




bX) 

Ctf 


(T 


. 



1— I 




a 


bo 

c8 


<r 




a 




a 




<u 







1— 1 


<u 




a 


»— 1 


« 







M 






t» 




a 




t> 




a 




t> 




fl 






^ 


<! 
Kg. 




< 


6^ 


< 




<1 


6^ 


< 




< 


^ 




Kg. 








Ut. 








7 


18 


14.8 


2.6 






14-1 


2-3 






1.02 


14 






8 


31 


17.0 


3-2 


2.2 


14.9 


15-7 


3-2 


1.6 


10.4 


1. 14 


18 


.12 


II. 8 


9 


40 


17.6 


3-0 


0.6 


3-5 


16.8 


2.6 


I.I 


7.0 


1.22 


19 


.08 


7-4 


10 


70 


18.9 


2.1 


1-3 


7-4 


18.0 


2-5 


1.2 


7-1 


I-3I 


23 


.09 


7.0 


II 


b3 


21.3 


3-5 


2.4 


12.7 


19.9 


3-2 


1.9 


10.6 


1.50 


23 


.19 


14-5 


12 


92 


23-9 


5-2 


2.6 


12.2 


22.4 


4.8 


2-5 


12.6 


1.62 


32 


.12 


8.0 


13 


89 


25.8 


4.6 


1.9 


8.0 


24.4 


4-3 


2.0 


8.9 


1.80 


32 


.18 


II. I 


14 


93 


28.2 


6.1 


2.4 


9-3 


26.4 


5-7 


2.0 


8.2 


1.98 


41 


.18 


10. 


15 


132 


35-1 


7-5 


6.9 


24-5 


32.3 


7-1 


5-9 


22.4 


2-35 


43 


•37 


18.7 


16 


130 


38.8 


6.5 


3-7 


10.6 


36.6 


6.1 


4-3 


13-3 


2.59 


39 


.24 


10.2 


n 


143 


41.7 


6.4 


2.9 


7-5 


38.6 


6.4 


2.0 


5-5 


1.80 


37 


.21 


8.1 


18 


95 


43-5 


7.2 


1.8 


4-3 


40-5 


7.2 


1.9 


4.9 


2.91 


44 


.11 


3-9 


19 


67 


44.6 


7.2 


I.I 


2-5 


42.1 


6.9 


1.6 


4.0 


3.01 


43 


.10 


3-4 


20 


50 


45 •<5 


7-3 


I.O 


2.2 


42.7 


6.7 


0.6 


1.4 


3.06 


35 


•05 


1-7 


21-5 


39 


43 '5 


5-9 






40.0 


5-5 






2.97 


27 







GROWTH OF PHII^IPPINE CHILDREN 9 

the tables are therefore of all ages from ten to eleven, or on an 
average of about ten and a half years. It is believed that 
the usual error of this assumption as pointed out by Dr. Boas 
does not exist in the case of Philippine children, or at least did 
not when these measurements were made. The schools had 
been only recently established, the pupils were very indiffer- 
ently graded, and classes were organized irrespective of age. 

Averages and Variabilities of Philippine Girls 





Height 


Weight 




CO 


4> 


?o 


*-> 


A ^ 




v 


?S 


a 


4-> 


Age 


1) ^ 


<u 

> 

< 




13 a 




s 


> 

< 




<1 K-l 


a 0) 

::a 






Mm: 


Mm: 


Mm: 






Kilos: 








7 


4 


1 135 


51 






4 


18.8 


2.2 






8 


9 


1178 


56 


43 


3-» 


9 


20.5 


2.4 


1-7 


9.0 


9 


15 


1228 


54 


50 


4.2 


15 


22.7 


2.8 


2.2 


10.8 


10 


17 


1268 


61 


40 


3-3 


17 


24.0 


3-6 


1-3 


5-7 


II 


27 


1295 


57 


27 


2.1 


27 


26.6 


3-6 


2.6 


10.8 


12 


33 


1370 


69 


75 


5-« 


33 


30.1 


4.4 


3-5 


13.2 


13 


24 


1428 


51 


5» 


4.2 


24 


35-0 


6.1 


4.9 


16.3 


14 


42 


1454 


46 


26 


1.8 


42 


3(^-5 


5-4 


1-5 


4-3 


15 


68 


1480 


52 


26 


1.8 


68 


40-3 


4-7 


3-8 


10.4 


16 


52 


1485 


55 


5 


03 


52 


42.2 


5-5 


1.9 


4-7 


17 


54 


1503 


51 


18 


1.2 


54 


44-5 


6.8 


2-3 


5-5 


18 


40 


1504 


51 


I 


0.1 


40 


44.0 


4-5 






19 


27 


1488 


43 






27 


43-6 


4.6 






20-5 


26 


1497 


6x 






26 


44 -o 


6.9 









Span of Arms | 




Sitti 


ng Height 






to 




?§ 


n 


a 


(0 




?^ 


fl 


• p 


Age 




bo 

CS 
:-! 

> 
< 




13 a 


a 




> 
< 


13 ca 


13 a 

la 


^ a 






Mm: 


Mm: 


Mm: 






Mm: 


Mm: 


Mm: 




7 


4 


H03 


64 






4 


615 


32 






8 


9 


1 160 


64 


57 


5-2 


9 


643 


39 


28 


4.6 


9 


15 


1218 


54 


58 


5-0 


15 


656 


27 


13 


2.0 


10 


17 


1235 


80 


35 


2.9 


17 


677 


26 


21 


3-2 


II 


27 


1295 


68 


42 


3-4 


27 


688 


30 


11 


1.6 


12 


33 


1380 


76 


85 


6.5 


33 


723 


38 


35 


5-1 


13 


24 


1441 


60 


61 


4.4 


24 


756 


29 


33 


4.6 


14 


42 


1461 


57 


20 


1.4 


42 


770 


33 


14 


1.9 


15 


68 


1499 


61 


38 


2.6 


68 


788 


30 


18 


2.3 


16 


52 


1505 


71 


6 


0.4 


52 


795 


27 


7 


0.9 


17 


54 


1521 


5« 


16 


I.I 


54 


807 


28 


12 


1-5 


18 


38 


1514 


54 






40 


808 


28 


I 


0.1 


19 


27 


1519 


51 






27 


801 


27 






20-5 


26 


1515 


61 






26 


799 


3(> 







lO 



GROWTH OF PHILIPPINE CHILDREN 





Grip of Right Hand | 


Grip of Left Hand| 


Vital Ca 


pacity 


Age 


a 


4; 


<T 







a 


W) 

CO 


a- 


u 


1-1 





be 


tr 


6 


CI 






<u 








HI 






1— ( 


<u 






•-( 




s 


> 









> 




a 




> 




c 






^ 


< 
Kg: 




<J 


^ 


< 

Kg: 




<J 


fe^ 


< 




< 


^ 




Lit. 








7 


4 


12-5 


2-5 






12.3 


2.9 






1. 00 


lb 






8 


9 


15.0 


2-3 


2-5 


20.0 


14-5 


2.0 


2.2 


17.9 


1. 10 


17 


.10 


10.0 


9 


15 


18.0 


30 


3-0 


20.0 


16.7 


3-b 


2.2 


15-2 


1.20 


14 


.10 


9.1 


lO 


17 


18.3 


3-2 


0-3 


1-7 


17. 1 


3-1 


0.4 


2.4 


1.28 


16 


.08 


6.7 


II 


27 


19.9 


3-3 


1.6 


8.7 


19.0 


3-1 


1.9 


II. I 


1-33 


21 


•05 


3-9 


12 


33 


22.0 


4.0 


2.1 


10.6 


20.9 


3-b 


1.9 


10. 


1.52 


21 


.19 


14-3 


13 


24 


25-7 


3-« 


3-7 


16.8 


24.0 


3-0 


3-1 


14.8 


1.62 


22 


.10 


6.6 


14 


43 


25-7 


4.8 


0.0 


0.0 


24-3 


4.4 


0-3 


1-3 


1.76 


30 


.14 


8.6 


15 


68 


29.2 


4.4 


3-5 


136 


27.0 


4.4 


2.7 


II. I 


1.99 


29 


•23 


I3-I 


i6 


52 


29.9 


3-4 


0.7 


2.4 


27.6 


3-b 


0.6 


2.2 


2.02 


31 


•03 


1-5 


17 


54 


30.7 


4.1 


0.8 


2.7 


28.2 


4-5 


0.6 


2.2 


2.15 


31 


•13 


6.4 


i8 


40 


30.3 


4.1 






28.5 


4.4 


0-3 


1 .1 


2.13 


26 






19 


27 


30-3 


4-3 






27.9 


4.6 






2.18 


21 






20-5 


26 


30.6 


4-7 






27.4 


4.2 






2.03 


34 







Growth-Stages 

Height. As in all studies made upon Kuropean and Ameri- 
can children, there appear to be three clearly marked stages 
of growth in Philippine children: (i) The steady growth of 
childhood; (2) The accelerated growth of puberty; (3) The 
diminishing growth of the post-pubertal period. 

The accelerated growth of puberty occurs in Philippine boys 
between the ages of thirteen and sixteen, with the greatest an- 
nual increment from fourteen to fifteen; in girls, between eleven 
and fourteen years, with the greatest annual increment from 
eleven to twelve. The acceleration begins and ends two years 
earlier with girls than with boys; the greatest annual increment, 
however, comes three years earlier with girls than with boys, 
coming in the earlier part of the pubescent growth of girls and 
in the later portion of that of boys. 

After sixteen, boys grow slowly for four years more, growth 
extending to the age of twenty. Growth after seventeen is 
very slight, however, amounting to not more than two centi- 
meters. The average of the 838 adult Filipinos measured by 
Dr. Folkmar, if his anthropomentric measurements can be re- 
lied upon, is on an exact level with that of the 145 seventeen- 
year-old boys recorded in this study. This does nor mean that 
Filipinos crease to grow at seventeen. It perhaps rather indi- 
cates slight differences in the samples of the population meas- 
ured. The adults measured by Dr. Folkmar were inmates of 
Bilibid prison. He selected his 838 individuals out of a possi- 
ble 3,000. It is possible that he rejected more of the mestizo 



GROWTH OF PHILIPPINE CHII^DREN 



II 




Chart I. Absolute Growth of Philippine Boys and Girls. 



12 



GROWTH OF PHILIPPINE CHILDREN 



r 


)ar£ 


5 


) 1 


IL 1 


2 1 


3 1 


4 1 


5 18 17 1 


8 1 


Cltarti II.I 


' 8 i 


9 ? 


0^1 1 


Ki 


OS- 




























— G 


50 


Phi 


llPT 


)inf 


Be 


YkS 










CT.^ 




.^ 








AC\ 


Ph: 


iipt 


)in€ 


Gi 


rip 




=o= 




^ 




==o= 


==^ 














•iU 
















y 


^ 














Qr^ 












^ 


^ 


/^ 
















oU 


lA? 


"eig 


ht 




^ 


^ 
















Ki 


los- 


oo 




,-^ 


^ 


^ 






















uO 


0— 


"^ 




















^ 


X-- 




— >*. 


-~o 




















^ 


^ 










4:0 


















/ 


/ 




























.i^ 


^ 


^^ 












30 




G 


■rip 


"ht 




,-^ 


^ 


^ffr 






















-^ 


^^ 


^ 


**^ 




















20 


c^ 


^o^ 






















X 




..^ 
























f^ 




,>^ 








Ki] 


os- 
















/ 


/^ 












oU 
















.^ 


/ 


=-= 








== 


=o 








nr\ 


G 


rip 
Lei 


t 






^ 


^ 


















2dO 






^ 


^ 


^ 






















c^ 


-^ 


^ 
























u\ 


ers 


10 




















.-^ 




-o- 






"3 


















^z- 


X 


cr^ 


j5G= 


-n 




==,^ 


=no 




^ 


ita 
Cai 


L 
Dae: 


ty 




,jg^ 


^ 


:> 














A 






^c^ 




r^ 


s^ 


^ 


















1 



































Chart II. Absolute growth of Philippine Boys and Girls. 



GROWTH OF PHILIPPINE CHILDREN 



13 




Chart III. Yearly Increments of Growth in Percents. 



14 GROWTH OF PHII<IPPINK CHII^DREN 

class than could be done in the case of our students, the marks 
of Spanish blood not being so evident in children; and also 
that the penal class were slightly under normal. On the other 
hand, our Manila schools, perhaps, contain a slightly larger 
proportion of mestizo blood than does the population in gen- 
eral. Yet after allowance is made for these things, the evidence 
is to the efifect that Philippine boys on an average grow in 
height but little after seventeen years of age. 

Philippine girls after the age of fourteen grow in height for 
three years more, or until the age of seventeen. At this age 
their height appears to be complete. In this respect, girls 
appear to attain complete maturity at least three years before 
boys. 

As with Europeans, Philippine girls are taller than boys 
from eleven to fourteen. In the girls measured, height was 
greater than that of boys at all ages before fourteen, which 
differs from the studies on Europeans. 

The stages of growth in absolute height for both boys and 
girls are shown graphically in Chart I; annual increments in 
Chart III. 

Span of arms. The growth of the span of arms from finger- 
tip to finger-tip very nearly parallels that of stature, indicating 
the same stages of growth at the same ages. Girls again are 
slightly superior to boys until fourteen, after which they fall 
behind. Span of arms at the age of eight is about 98,5% of 
the stature for both boys and girls; at the age of twenty, it 
is about 103% of the stature with boys, and 102% with girls. 

Curves of absolute growth are found on Chart I, of span of 
arms relative to stature on Charts VI and X. 

Height sating. Since this is a measurement in one dimen- 
sion of the vital organs of trunk and head, the limbs being 
totally excluded, it is, perhaps, a more significant measurement 
than stature or span of arms. In the curves of growth in sit- 
ting height given on Chart I, the three stages of growth are 
very clearly shown. In the growth of boys, these stages cor- 
respond exactly with those of stature; with girls, however, 
the post-pubertal growth appears to extend up to nineteen, or 
two years longer than in the case of stature. Although slight 
after seventeen, it is suflScient to be significant. The steady 
growth of boys from seventeen to twenty is more clearly shown 
than in the case of stature. In this dimension, girls are shorter 
than boys until twelve, taller between twelve and fourteen, 
and then again falling behind after fourteen. That girls should 
surpass boys in both stature and span of arms at all ages be- 
fore twelve, but fall behind them in sitting height for the same 
period, seems to indicate a relatively greater length of limb in 
girls for this period. In the later post-pubertal period, this 
relation is reversed. 



GROWTH OP PHILIPPINE CHII^DREN 1 5 

The relation of sitting height to stature is shown in Charts 
VI and X. . , 

Weight. Weight was taken with clothing, but tropical 
clothing is very light in weight. 

The stages of the growth in weight are synchronous in all 
important respects with growth in stature. Girls are abso- 
lutely heavier than boys from eight to fifteen. In relation to 
height, weight remains at all ages about eqnal for the two 
sexes, inclining slightly in favor of girls in the later adoles- 
cent period, as shown in the charts. 

The adults of all ages measured by Dr. Folkmar were on an 
average three pounds heavier than the twenty-year adolescents 
measured in this study, yet the adults averaged two centime- 
ters less in height. Taking both facts into consideration, we 
are led to believe that the weight of these twenty-year-old 
youths was not complete, and that growth in weight continues 
for some time after twenty. Uke all peoples, they tend to fill 
out somewhat after maturity in height is reached. 

Muscular Strength. Grip of right and left hands was taken 
by means of Smedley's adjustable dynamometer, manufactured 
by C. H. Stoelting & Co., of Chicago. The instrument was 
occasionally tested for accuracy as to the dial readings. In 
making the tests the distance between the bars was adjusted 
to the size of the pupil's hand, and he was permitted several 
trials, the best one being recorded. 

The results as shown graphically in Chart II show boys 
and girls to be of about equal strength until the age of four- 
teen. After this age, the divergence is very striking, girls 
increasing in strength of grip less than four kilos, while boys 
increased about seventeen. In the individuals measured, girls 
reach their maximum at eighteen, and boys at twenty. One 
cannot be sure that growth in strength is complete at these ages, 
however, since the later measurements are too few, and the 
individuals of too special a class for the later results to be en- 
tirely trustworthy in this respect. 

Growth in the strength of the left hand parallels that of the 
right at all stages in both sexes. Strength of the left hand 
difiers from that of the right by from five to ten per cent. 
This difierence, as in white children, is as great in girls as in 
boys, as shown in the tables, and in Charts VII and XI. 

It is interesting to notice that boys of seven will grip 
eighty per cent, of their weight, and youths of eighteen, 
eighty-eight per cent. Girls of seven will grip seventy per 
cent, of their weight, and at eighteen the same. In relation to 
weight, the amount of strength that both boys and girls can 
put forth in a single muscular effort is surprisingly great, much 
greater indeed than that of the well-conditioned boys and girls 



1 6 GROWTH OF PHILIPPINE CHILDREN 

measured by Mr. Smedley. Whether the endurance of Fili- 
pinos is commensurate with their strength as shown in a single 
effort, or whether one is at the expense of the other is a ques- 
tion that cannot be answered until some one has undertaken a 
study of their muscular endurance. 

Another interesting fact in this connection is the relatively 
great strength of Philippine girls as compared with Philippine 
boys. Dr. Christopher and Mr. Smedley show that among 
American children measured at Chicago "boys surpass the 
girls in strength at all ages; even in the kindergarten the 
average boy is stronger in his left hand than the average girl 
is in her right hand." This is not true of Philippine girls 
before the age of thirteen. At thirteen their strength is equal 
absolutely to that of boys, if not slightly greater; and from 
nine to fourteen the diff"erences of the averages are very slight, 
in no case more than a single kilo. 

Vital Capacity. Vital capacity was taken by means of a wet 
spirometer. Each pupil was permitted several attempts, and 
the best mark attained was recorded. Before nine years boys 
and girls show no appreciable difference in breathing capacity. 
From nine to twelve, boys slightly surpass girls. After 
twelve, the divergence increases, the difference becoming 
marked after fifteen. In this respect only do Philippine boys 
of thirteen surpass girls of the same age. This difference 
may be partly or even wholly due to the conditions of the test. 
Boys were more ready to lay aside their dignity and blow with 
sustained effort than were the girls ; and it is possible that the 
girls were more hindered by their form of clothing. 

General Conclusions. Philippine children show the three 
marked stages of development between the ages of six and 
twenty as clearly as do children of European descent; and the 
periods appear to be synchronous for the two races. The pubertal 
acceleration usually begins in Philippine boys at twelve or thir- 
teen years and extends up to sixteen or seventeen . After this age 
growth seems to continue for three or four years longer. 
Whether or not there is growth after twenty cannot be deter- 
mined from the data at hand. 

With girls the period of pubertal acceleration falls between 
the ages of eleven and fourteen, arriving and ending some two 
or three years earlier than with boys. After fourteen, girls con- 
tinue to grow for three or four years longer, reaching maturity 
at about seventeen or eighteen. The upper limit is not here 
indicated with certainty because of the insufficient number 
measured, and because the girls in the later years of the 
secondary school constitute a somewhat specialized type. 

Philippine girls on an average seem to be about equal to 
Philippine boys at all ages before fourteen. Anatomically 



GROWTH OF PHIIvIPPINE CHII^DREN 



17 



they are superior to boys between eleven or twelve and fourteen 
or fifteen ; functionally at this period in grip and vital capacity, 
they are slightly weaker relative to size, but about equal in 
absolute units. This comparison of boys and girls seems to 
be of value in indicating a great difference in the physiological 
age of the two sexes at this chronological period. It seems to 
show that at thirteen most girls are post-pubescent while most 
boys of that age remain pre-pubescent, a fact of practical im- 
portance in dealing with matters of coeducation recently intro- 
duced into Philippine schools. 

A Comparison of the Growth of Philippine Chii^dren 
WITH White Chii,dren 

A comparison of the children of the two races is best shown 
graphically, as in the Charts IV to XII. Curves showing the 
growth of American children are taken from the report of Mr. 
Smedley's work in the child-study laboratory at Chicago, with 
the exception of the curves showing annual increments of 
growth in height and weight which were calculated by Dr. 
Boas, and may be found in the American Journal of Psychology, 
Vol. IX, No. 3. Since the curves showing the growth of 
Filipinos were based upon median values, the medians also 
were employed in constructing the curves for American chil- 
dren. Perhaps averages may just as well have been used since 
the differences between the two are but slight. 

Boys 
Height. The curves of growth in height at the top of 





Ratio 


of Height Sitting to Stature 






Boys 1 


Girls 


Age Fil 


ipino Am 


erican 


Chinese 


Filipina Am 


erican 


7 


544 


560 




•540 


550 


8 


556 


553 






550 


545 


9 


546 


543 


•549 




542 


540 


10 


536 


534 


•552 




528 


534 


II 


539 


533 


•543 




527 


533 


12 


530 


529 


•541 




522 


532 


13 


529 


517 


•540 




532 


527 


14 


524 


517 


.528 




528 


529 


15 


526 


522 


•532 




539 


532 


16 


532 


527 


•521 




537 


535 


17 


528 


533 






534 


532 


18 


534 


532 






541 


538 


19 


531 


527 






541 


538 


20 


537 


532 






541 


538 



i8 



GROWTH OF PHII^IPPINB CHILDREN 



Chart IV show a remarkable parallelism in the growth of 
Philippine and American boys. Both curves show the same 
general stages, falling within the same years. The pubertal 
acceleration falls within the same age-limits for both races. 
Before the age of fifteen the difEerence in the height of the two 
races remains about constant, Filipinos being on an average 
from six to eight centimeters shorter than Americans of the 
same ages. But after fifteen, the Philippine boy lags behind. 
He continues to grow up to twenty, and perhaps even beyond, 
but his late adolescent growth appears to lack the vigor shown 

Ratio of Span of Artns to Stature 





Boys 


Girls 


Age 


Filipino 


American 


Chinese 


Filipina 


American 


7 


.987 


1.003 




•974 


•995 


8 


.988 


1.008 




.992 


1. 000 


9 


.984 


1 .007 


.976 


1. 000 


I.OCO 


lO 


.992 


1. 010 


•985 


■985 


1.002 


II 


1. 000 


1.009 


•985 


.991 


1.008 


12 


1.004 


1 .017 


•993 


.998 


1.007 


13 


1. 014 


I -015 


.986 


1.003 


1.005 


14 


1. 014 


1. 018 


1. 000 


1. 010 


1. 012 


15 


1.025 


1.023 


1.025 


1. 018 


1.009 


i6 


1.023 


1.023 


1.030 


1. 015 


I.OC7 


17 


1.028 


1. 021 




1.023 


1. 021 


i8 


I -033 


1.029 




1.020 


1-013 


19 


1.034 






1 .017 


1. 018 


20 


1-035 






1. 017 


1. 001 



Ratio of the Cube of Height to Weight 





Boys 


Girls 


Age 


Filipino 


American 


Chinese 


Filipina 


American 


7 
8 

9 
10 
II 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 

17 
18 

19 
20 


78 
78 
83 
84 
85 
88 
88 
90 
88 
86 
88 
85 
83 
82 


8 

9 

I 

9 
2 

5 
2 

5 
2 
8 
8 

3 


4 


74-9 
76.6 
78.9 
79.8 
81.6 

81.3 
83.6 

84-4 
84-9 
83-9 
80.3 
82.6 

79-9 
78.7 


77 
81 

79 
80 
78 
82 
85 


2 

3 
2 

9 
8 

7 
2 


80 
81 
81 
88 

84 
88 

87 
85 
81 

79 
77 
76 
78 
78 


I 

6 

3 
8 

4 
3 
3 


5 
8 

7 
8 

5 


75 
78 

79 
82 

85 
84 
85 
83 
81 

78 
80 
78 
78 
78 


7 
2 

7 
3 
8 


7 
6 

7 
3 
8 
6 
7 



GROWTH OF PHIIvIPPINE CHII^DREN 



19 



by that of the American boy. As compared with children of 
North- European descent, Filipinos suffer relative arrest in their 
physical growth after the age of fifteen. This relative failure 
of growth-vigor is shown in all the curves of Chart IV. The 
almost complete parallelism of growth up to fifteen and the 
subsequent divergence after this age is perhaps most clearly 
shown in sitting height, which is perhaps the most significant 
dimension measured. 

Chart V shows the greatest annual growth-increment in 





Ratio 


of Strength of Grip to Weight 








Boys 


Girls 


Age Fi 


lipino Am 


erican 


Chinese 


Filipina 


American 


7 


809 


511 




.684 


•507 


8 


813 


532 






749 




505 


9 


817 


558 


.798 




794 




529 


10 


826 


594 




782 




776 




537 


II 


822 


612 




838 




774 




544 


12 


806 


629 




796 




752 




554 


13 


804 


653 




803 




783 




575 


14 


790 


677 




773 




729 




566 


15 


847 


712 




867 




737 




575 


16 


848 


762 




880 




712 




576 


17 


873 


772 






698 




589 


18 


879 


776 






705 




596 


19 


861 


811 






713 




614 


20 


861 


815 






768 




623 



Relation of Vital Capacity to Weight 
Cc. per Kilo 





Boys 


Girls 


Age 


Filipino 


American 


Chinese 


Filipina 


American 


7 


56-9 


54-7 




56.4 


51-6 


8 


55-6 


55-6 




55-7 


50 


9 


9 


56.8 


55-2 


54-7 


53-1 


51 


7 


10 


55-8 


56.0 


54-8 


54-3 


50 


9 


II 


54-3 


55-9 


54-5 


49 -o 


50 


8 


12 


55-2 


55-4 


53-7 


50.7 


47 


7 


13 


58.1 


56.7 


54-3 


48.0 


46 


9 


14 


55-6 


55-6 


55-7 


47-7 


45 


8 


15 


54-9 


55-9 


53-1 


49.2 


45 


9 


16 


56.5 


59-5 




48.1 


45 


I 


17 


59-9 


60.6 




50.7 


46 


I 


18 


58.5 


60.4 




47-8 


46 


8 


19 


57-8 


59-4 




51.2 


48 





20 


59-5 


59-3 




49.0 


48 


2 



20 



GROWTH OF PHIIvIPPINK CHILDREN 



Relation of Strength of Grip to Vital Capacity 
Kilos per Liter 





Boys 


Gi 


rls 


Age 


Filipino 


American 


Chinese 


Filipina 


American 


7 


I5-I 


9.8 




12.2 


9.6 


8 


14.6 


10. 




13 


5 


9-7 


9 


14.4 


10.7 


14.6 


15 





10.2 


lO 


14.8 


10.3 


14 


3 


14 


3 


10.6 


II 


15.2 


10.6 


15 


4 


15 


8 


II. I 


12 


14.6 


II-3 


14 


9 


14 


9 


II. 6 


13 


13-8 


II. 4 


14 


8 


16 


3 


12.3 


14 


14.2 


II. 4 


13 


9 


15 


3 


12.4 


15 


15-4 


12.5 


16 


3 


15 





12.5 


i6 


15.0 


12-5 


16 


I 


14 


8 


12.8 


17 


14.6 


12.8 




13 


8 


12.8 


i8 


15 I 


12.9 




14 


8 


12.8 


19 


14.8 


13.6 




14 


6 


12.8 


20 


14-5 


13-7 




15 


8 


13.0 



Ratio of Left Hand to Right Hand 





Boys II 


Girls 


Age Fi 


ipino Am 


erican Ch 


inese Fi 


ipina 


American 


7 


934 


948 




924 


•944 


8 


952 


933 




935 




940 


9 


966 


942 


975 


928 




935 


10 


947 


944 


975 


950 




935 


II 


925 


940 


929 


907 




938 


12 


935 


920 


971 


942 




940 


13 


952 


920 


960 


935 




911 


14 


932 


921 


950 


955 




920 


15 


906 


929 


901 


926 




925 


16 


956 


922 




933 




926 


17 


925 


909 




934 




9:6 


18 


921 


918 




913 




933 


19 


973 


941 




918 




926 


20 


935 


941 




891 




917 



height to fall for both races between the ages of fourteen and 
fifteen. The growth-force during this period seems to be 
much more pronounced in the Filipino than in the American ; 
but it seems to exhaust itself for him all the more quickly, as 
shown by the more precipitous fall of the curve after fifteen. 

Weight. The curves of weight in Chart IV might seem to 
indicate that Philippine boys not only fall behind after fifteen, 
but that they were continually losing ground from the begin- 
ning ; but such is not the case. The apparent divergence be- 



GROWTH OP PHILIPPINE CHILDREN 



21 




Chart IV. A Comparison of Philippiue and American Boys in Absolute Growth. 



22 



GROWTH OP PHILIPPINE CHILDREN 





)ar£ 


i f 


> 1 


5 1 


L 1 


2 1 


3 1 


4 1 


5 1 


6 1 


7 1 


8 1 


Ch 


art 


t: 


9 2 


02 


1 


Pel 


•06] 


It 




























o 

IT 




\\ 












/ 


V 














o 




\ 






--. 


V 


^ 


r 


\ 
















c 


v\ 


^/ 




x=^ 


^ 


M 


r 


\ 


^^ 












o 




V 


7 




He 


p:1i1 


1 






V 


\ 










^ 




^ 


( 














\ 




>=* 






























^ 




^ 






Pe: 
1^ 


*ce: 


It 












/ 


V 














1*? 










^^^<. 


< 


/! 


/ 


\ 


^ 












in 


( 










\ 


^ 


r 


\ 


\ 












XXJ 

ft 




^ 






r^ 


/ 


1^ 






w 












..«_ 




\ 


/ 














\ 


V 


>==^ 








^ 






r 




Ive 


iffli 


J 






\ 


y 




^ 






o 




















t 


^ 










^ 
































Pe3 


'cei 


It 




























^n 
































1R 














^ 






v^ 












12 


i 


\ 


^ a: 


^ 


^ 


^ 


^^ 






\ 


^ 










Q 




\ 








\ 


^ 


/ 




^J 


% 


"^ 








o 
A. 




\ 


/ 














> 


\ 


L 












I 






Grri 


p-H 


Lgrli' 


tH£ 


md 






"^ 




<. 






Plii 


liPT 


line 


Bo 


vs 




-o— 




















Att 


leri 


san 


Bo 


ys 




=C3= 

















































Chart V. A Comparison of the Annual Increments of Growth of Philippine and Amer- 
ican Boys. 



GROWTH OF PHIIvIPPINE CHILDREN 



23 



Yoarsi 



V 8 9 13 1 1 12 13 14 15 18 17 IB 19 2Q 



Chart 



m. 



Pei cent 




Heighp Sitting i:i relation 



to Stature 




^f:& 



Span of Arn:.s iiireoation bo Stature > 



TB 




2:6 



Chl oi 



Height for eact Kg. oj 



Weight 




Stren£:th of (xrip in 



relation tb'VT'eigfht 



Ph 



lippine. 



BC'YR 



Amer: cai: Bo:^3 



Chart VI. A Comparison of the Relative Growth of Philippine and American Boys. 



24 



GROWTH OF PHILIPPINE CHILDREN 




Chart VII. A Comparison of the Relative Growth of Philippine and American Boys. 



GROWTH OF PHILIPPINE; CHILDREN 



25 




Chart VIII. A Comparison of Philippine and American Girls in Absolute Growth. 



26 



GROWTH OF PHILIPPINE CHILDREN 



Years- 
7 i 


i i 


^ V 


) 1 


1 1 


3 1 


3 1 


4 1 


F, 1 


^ 


Per cent 




















o 








I 


\ 










O 

( 


.=.^ 


^«t=— a 


3 1 


A 


\, 


b^. 








"i==^^^7^^^^ 


1] 




"^ 


N 


\ 


/ 




NN 








o 

9i 






\ 


/ 




\ 








-t 








Heiff 


ht 


T 




*V^ 


t j^ 


i 
















N 


p^ 


Per cent 












} 








lo 












\ 








l-dt 
1€> 








v^ 




V. 








in f 


. y 


i 




/ 




T 


\ 


i 




Q 


>^ 


x" 








\ 




^ 




O 




\ 








\ 




\ 




•1 








Weis 


■ht 


\ 




> 


K^ 


o 


















\ 






















Per cent 

90 ( 




















"•fi 




y 






J 










19 ' 


,^^ 


x" 




^^ 


7^ 




■^ / 


) 




1^ 




\ 


i 


,^^ 


/ 




y 


\ 




8 

/I 




\ 


/ 








/ 


\ 


V. 


'-£ 




1 


Qr- 


TD-Rif 


rhtH 


ind ) 


/ 


^ 




Phili 


DDine 


Girl 


3— o— 














Ame 


rican 


n-irl 





































Chart IX. A Comparison of the Annual Increments of Growth of Philippine and 
American Girls. 



GROWTH OF PHILIPPINE CHILDREN 



27 



Yoarsi 



V S 9 13 U 12 13 14 15 16 17 TR 1Q S 



C hart X. 



O 




He igli b Si ttii ig i: a relat Ion 



to 3tatur9 



m±5 




-9^^ 



Span of iLrrcs iii relation bo Stature 




-2:5 



Caji. oj Htjig-t.t for eact. Ki?. oi' "^ 'eight 



Per ceht 
-8€- 





Sti'en^rth 



of (g-rh> in 



relation to ^T'eiight 



Phplipplnj) Girls 
Qirl^ 



America a 



Chart X. A'.Comparison of the Relative Growth of Philippine and American Girls. 



2t 



GROWTH OP PHILIPPINE CHILDREN 



Ch^rt 



8 ^ 10 tl t9. 



13 14 1.5 IS 17 IB 19 ^0 



KI 



Ra :io 




Ratio Df Oubegi. 



Height tD"V^^ei£-ht 




AB 



Vitkl (DaiDELCity in reflation 



to " Wdigli b 



]jiter 




Stieng'th 



of (j-riT) in 



r el action to Vital 



Capacity 



Pe:: 
10€^ 



ce:it 




Grip ol R-glil} Hand 



in 



relation to Left 



PIii liT)T)ine 



Girls 



Aniericai] Girls 



Chart XI. A Comparison of the Relative Growth of Philippine and American Girls. 



GROWTH OF PHILIPPINE; CHILDREN 



29 




Chart XII. A Comparison of the Growth of the Girls of the two races in their rela- 
tion to the Boys of their own race. 



30 GROWTH OF PHII^IPPINE CHII.DRKN 

fore fifteen is due to the difference in height; it must be 
remembered that weight varies not as the height but rather as 
the cube of the height. In the tables and in Chart VII is 
shown the ratio of the cube of the height to the weight at 
each age for both races. The curves thus formed are parallel 
throughout, showing that the relation of the two races in 
weight is the same at all ages as for height. They show also 
that Philippine boys are at all ages taller relative to their 
weight ; or, stated more simply, Filipinos are more slender 
than Americans. 

Vital Capacity. Vital capacity varies also as the cube ot 
the height, so that the discrepancy here again, although ap- 
parent, is not real. The ratio of vital capacity to weight is 
about the same for both races at all ages, as shown in chart 
VII. The curves show a great expansion in lung capacity 
relative to weight for both races between the ages of fifteen 
and seventeen. 

Physical Proportions. Philippine boys are more slender than 
American boys of corresponding ages. Height sitting in pro- 
portion to total stature is about the same for both races, the 
difference of the averages being at no time more than one per 
cent. This indicates also that the two races are about equal 
in relative length of limbs. Span of arms relative to height 
appears to be from one to two per cent, less for Philippine boys 
before thirteen ; after this age both races are relatively equal. 

Strength of Grip. Before the age of thirteen, Philippine 
boys appear to be superior to American boys of corresponding 
ages in strength of grip both absolutely and relatively. From 
thirteen to fifteen, they are equal absolutely, but the Filipinos, 
being smaller, are relatively superior. After fifteen, Philippine 
boys fall behind in absolute strength, though retaining their 
relative superiority, as shown in Chart VI. In calculating 
strength of grip relative to weight, one must remember that 
both sets of boys were weighed with clothing, and that Ameri- 
can clothing is considerably heavier than the light tropical 
garments. In the curves, this slight but appreciable difference 
in weight favors the Filipino ; though it will go but a small 
way in explaining the results. 

This difference in the relative strength of grip not being 
perhaps what one might expect, the conditions of the tests 
were carefully examined to see that there was no source of 
error. One's first thought would be that the instruments used 
may have been dissimilar. But I used a duplicate of Mr. 
Smedley's instrument, manufactured by the same company. 
The instrument was tested several times for correctness. 

If Philippine pupils had recently been engaged in any form 
of labor specially adapted to developing the grip, as, for exam- 



GROWTH OF PHILIPPINE; CHILDREN 3 1 

pie, the pounding of rice in mortars, this would be a disturbing 
factor; but it is thought this was not the case with the pupils 
measured to any appreciable degree. 

I am unable to discover any important dissimilarity of con- 
ditions. If none exists, one must conclude that Philippine 
boys are, weight for weight, stronger in a single effort of grip 
than American boys. The left hand as compared with the 
right is about the same for the two races; the left hand is from 
five to eight per cent, weaker, the relation varying somewhat 
with age. 

Variabilities. If one compares the variabilities given in the 
tables with those of Dr. Boas published in the Report of the 
Commissioner of Education for 1904, one notices that the 
greatest variability in height and weight occurs at fourteen 
and fifteen years in both races. This points further to a syn- 
chronism in the pubertal expansion of the two races. At this 
period both races appear to contain a large per cent, of both 
pre-pubescents and post-pubescents; this is doubtless the mean- 
ing of the wide degree of variability. 

Girls 

A comparison of the growth of Philippine and American 
girls is graphically shown in Charts VIII to XII. 

Chart VIII shows the growth of the girls of the two races to 
be about parallel up to the middle of the pubertal acceleration; 
after this period, Philippine girls fall behind relatively. Cor- 
responding growth-periods seem to coincide in time for the 
girls of the two races; and to differ most noticeably in the 
relative lack of growth-vigor in Philippine girls during later 
adolescence. This difference is less marked, however, with 
girls than with boys. 

Chart IX shows the greatest growth-increments to fall for 
both races at twelve or thirteen years. As with boys, the 
pubertal expansion seems to be more sudden with Philippine 
than with American girls, and to expend itself more quickly, 
resulting in a more rapid falling off in the degree of yearly 
growth after twelve or thirteen. 

Charts X and XI show relative physical proportions of the 
• girls of the two races. Height sitting in proportion to stature 
is the same for both; relative length of limb is the same; arm- 
span relative to stature differs but slightly. Philippine girls 
appear to be more slender up to fourteen years of age, after 
which period the ratio of height to weight appears to be about 
the same for the two races. Vital capacity relative to weight is 
distinctly greater for Philippine girls; girls differ in this respect 
whereas boys were about equal. 

In strength of grip Philippine girls appear to be superior to 



32 GROWTH OP PHILIPPINE CHII.DREN 

American girls in absolute strength up to sixteen years, after 
which they are about equal. In strength relative to weight, 
Philippine girls seem to be superior at all ages, the difference 
ranging from ten to twenty-five per cent'. Relative strength 
of the left hand as compared with the right is about the same 
for the two races. 

In Chart XII an attempt has been made to compare the 
girls of the two races on a basis of their size and strength rela- 
tive to the boys of their own race. It is claimed that women 
differ from the men of their own race to a greater degree 
among some races than among others; the curves were con- 
structed to test this aspect of the matter. In the curves 
JOG per cent, represents boys; the curves show how much 
Philippine and American girls rise above or fall below average 
masculine standards of their race. The results show that in 
stature, sitting height, and span of arms, the girls of the two 
races are in this respect about equal, especially as they ap- 
proach adulthood. In weight, Philippine girls appear to be 
slightly superior; in strength of grip and in vital capacity 
Philippine girls are considerably superior, — from five to ten 
per cent. In other words, the girls of the two races, when 
their averages are compared with average masculine standards, 
are structurally about equal; but functionally, in the two as- 
pects measured, Philippine girls are nearer the standards set 
by the boys of their race than are American girls to American 
boys. This relation holds for late adolescence; and since the 
girls of both races seem to be mature by twenty, it doubtless 
holds true for the adults as well. 

Chinese Boys 

During the course of this study, I measured sixty Chinese 
boys at the Tondo Chinese School in Manila. Only pure- 
blood Chinese were measured, Chinese-Filipino mestizos being 
rejected. Their parents were mostly natives of southern China, 
— Amoy, Hong-Kong, Canton, Saigon. 

I was assured by the principal of the school that they could 
be depended upon to give their ages correctly; consequently 
they were taken at their word in the matter of age. But I 
very much doubt if they gave their ages even so accurately as 
did the Filipino children. 

In this connection one must remember that the Chinese 
count their ages, not from actual birthdays, but from the Chi- 
nese New Year. A ten-year-old Chinese boy is one who has 
ten times celebrated the Chinese New Year; on an average he 
is therefore nine and one-half years of age; whereas an Ameri- 
can or Filipino boy who says he is ten years old is on an aver- 
age ten and a half, or a full year older. In the tables, therefore, 



GROWTH OF PHILIPPINE CHILDREN 



33 



I have set back the ages of the Chinese one year so as to make 
them entirely comparable with the tables for Filipino and 
American boys. 

The following table presents their average measurements. 

Averages of Sixty Chinese Boys 









4-> 


tn 




p^ 


^ 


4-> 




^ ^ 
'^ rt 


-i-> 




^§ 


JJ 

^ 


'0 

3S^ 






Age 


•a<3 


,£3 


a 5 




.bfl 


ap^ 


P, 




3 




CO 




^ 


>^ 








9 


4 


1237 


680 


1207 


24.7 


1350 


19.7 


19.2 


lO 


7 


1275 


702 


1252 


25.2 


1380 


19.7 


19.2 


II 


II 


1286 


695 


1265 


27.0 


1470 


22.6 


21.0 


12 


9 


1348 


725 


1342 


30-4 


1630 


24.2 


23-5 


13 


14 


1390 


750 


1370 


33-6 


1770 


27.0 


25-9 


14 


10 


1442 


762 


1447 


35-1 


2010 


27.4 


26.5 


15 


5 


1585 


841 


I6I7 


46.3 


2450 


40.1 


36.1 


' 










. 






• i- 



These averages seem to show that in stature, height sitting, 
and span of arms, Chinese and Filipino boys are not far apart 
between the ages of nine and fifteen. Curves of growth appear 
to follow about the same lines up to that age. 

In respect to weight, Chinese boys are heavier, both abso- 
lutely and relatively. They are not so slender as Filipinos. 
In absolute strength of grip Chinese appear to be stronger, 
but relative to weight, they are of about the same strength. 
The left hand appears to be somewhat more nearly equal to 
the right in Chinese than in Filipino or American boys. 

The sitting height of Chinese boys seems to be somewhat 
greater than that of Filipinos or whites; or in other words, 
Chinese appear to have somewhat shorter legs comparatively, 
with a corresponding gain in the relative volume of vital or- 
gans. Span of arms relative to height shows them to have 
slightly shorter arms also before the age of fourteen. 

Since the above was written, I find in "Nature" of Oct. 15, 
1908, some results of a far more complete study on the Chinese 
by Mr. A. H. Crook, Queen's College, Hong Kong. He 
measured 659 boys and youths between the ages of ten and 
twenty-four years, and presents an interesting comparison be- 
tween Chinese and English boys, 

A comparison of my results with those of Mr. Crook seems 
to indicate that Chinese boys of Manila are less developed than 
those of Hong Kong. Climate may have something to do 
with the matter; also it is possible that he measured a better 
class of students at Hong Kong than I found among the shop- 
keeper's sons in the public schools of Manila. 

Mr. Crook remarks on the small amount of chest expansion 



\l% 



m 



34 



GROWTH OF PHILIPPINE CHILDREN 



in Chinese boys. This was determined by measurements of 
chest girth. My figures for vital capacity, obtained in an en- 
tirely different way, confirm his conclusions. 

A Comparison of Philippine with Japanese Children 

It appears that the Department of Education in Japan meas- 
ures the height and weight of all Japanese school children. 
The average figures for the year 1901 for 869,014 children, as 
reported by Dr. Misawa in the March number of this Journal 
for the current year (p. 109) are, for boys, as given in the fol- 
lowing table. Beside them are the figures for Filipinos and 
Chinese for comparison. 





Height 


Weight 


Age 


Filipino 


Japanese 


Chinese 


Filipino 


Japanese 


Chinese 




Cm. 






Kg. 






7 


114. 8 


106.5 




18.9 


17.6 




8 


119. 1 


III.O 




20.8 


19. 1 




9 


121. 1 


115. 6 


123.7 


21.8 


21 .1 


24.7 


10 


125.2 


120.0 


127-5 


23-4 


22.8 


25 


2 


II 


130.9 


124.8 


128.6 


26.2 


25.0 


27 





12 


136.6 


128.7 


134-8 


29-5 


27.0 


30 


4 


13 


140.8 


133-4 


139.0 


32-4 


29.4 


33 


6 


14 


146. 1 


137-6 


144.2 


35-9 


32-5 


35 


I 


15 


I54-I 


142. 1 


158.5 


41-5 


35-2 


4b 


3 


16 


158-5 


146. 1 




45-9 


38-2 





Japanese boys to sixteen years of age are from six to twelve 
centimeters shorter than Filipino boys of corresponding ages. 
They are as much shorter than Filipino boys as the latter are 
shorter than American boys. The table shows the Chinese to 
be not appreciably different from Filipinos in height. This is 
one further item of proof that the mongoloid Malays of the 
Philippines are racially more closely related to the Chinese 
than to the Japanese. 

In weight the same relationship holds. 



LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 



021 339 782 5 



